FEATURE
Hillary Moffat with some of her workmates - (from left): Prince Chohan, Karl Aitken and Jimmy Braithwaite
Tanker driver diversity ILLARY MOFFAT WAS INSPIRED BY HER LATE FATHER TO become a milktanker driver and says she “absolutely loves” her work as a Fonterra tanker operator, based in Reporoa – in the central North Island. “My heart and passion are behind the wheel of a truck and I know Fonterra are a great company to work for,” she says. “Having that passion and also the dedication to carry on the legacy of my father is what makes me love coming to work.” Hillary did decide to try something else about 10 years ago – and duly became a qualified diesel technician. But, says Fonterra, “she couldn’t stay away….now she’s back driving with us as a L5b tanker operator.” The attractions, says Hillary, include working “with a great team of people” – plus she “always enjoys having the opportunity to have a chat with the farmers while collecting their milk.” She says her Fonterra fellow-workers and bosses have always been 100% supportive of her: “I can’t say I’ve ever felt out of place. I’ve always felt welcome. “I’ve been ‘one of the boys’ since I can remember. The guys I have worked with and work with now have all been great.” Fonterra, she adds, has “the Kiwi attitude when it comes to its people and their families: They make you feel welcome and part of an extended family.” Her advice to other women interested in pursuing a job as a milktanker driver is simply to “go for it! There is nothing stopping you. The training is amazing and you’re not alone – there’s always someone to help if you get stuck. It’s awesome.”
Fonterra says diversity is very important to its operation – and Hillary is one of 66 female tanker operators in NZ, with another two in Australia. Plus it has 32 women employees in its national transport and logistics operation. “But we know we can always do better,” says the dairy cooperative – adding that it is “always on the lookout for more women to get behind the wheel of our tankers.” “We recognise the benefits of having a diverse workforce. It’s what our people deserve – diverse thinking, diverse ways of working, more opportunities for creativity and an environment that is inclusive of everyone,” says Kate Shirley, HR business partner COO. “Diversity for national transport means we’re well rounded, have higher prospects for innovation and a greater diversity of skills,” she adds. Debbie Harding has been a trendsetter during her 25 years as a tanker operator – starting out driving at the Whareroa site, in south Taranaki, in 1996….before Kiwi Co-operative Dairy was amalgamated into Fonterra. Says Debbie: “I drove tankers until 2018 and then became a lead driver. With this job I ran the shift. “Then, in 2020, I became a team manager (for Pahiatua and Longburn) and now I look after 55 guys and one female. “As far as I know I was the first female tanker driver to become permanent, the first woman permanent lead driver and now the first permanent (woman) team manager….NZ wide.” Debbie has been around trucks as long as she can remember: “My father was a truck driver and, as a kid, I used to go out with him as Truck & Driver | 79
